My sister's DH doesn't quilt, but he loves to buy items he thinks will make her life easier. One time I asked if he wanted to join us at the Road to CA show, after he recovered from the shock and the deer in the headlights expression my sister said he couldn't come. When we got in the car she said he would be looking at every machine in the show trying to talk her into a new one. Even though it would be nice, they had way too many other things they needed than a new sewing machine for her.
So maybe you need to go out with your DH and stroll by a sewing machine store or two for him to peruse the various models up close. :-)